Is Ronaldo’s fear factor waning? The frank remarks of the DR Congo defender raised eyebrows
For years, facing Cristiano Ronaldo meant building an entire game plan around stopping him. Following DR Congo’s historic 1-1 draw with Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau hinted that those days may be over, revealing his side had no special strategy to contain the 41-year-old.
Mukau made candid remarks after helping DR Congo earns its first ever World Cup point, more than five decades after Zaire’s only previous appearance at the tournament in 1974. His comments offered a glimpse into how opponents now view Ronaldo, still one of football’s greatest players but no longer the unstoppable force that once shaped every defensive plan.
Mukau said after the match that DR Congo had made no special plans to stop Ronaldo, a statement that quickly attracted attention given the Portugal captain’s status as one of the greatest players in football history.
“To be honest, no, no,” Mukau said when asked if his side had targeted Ronaldo specifically. “We know that Ronaldo is not the same as before. He is a bit older now. Still, he is one of the greatest for him and he respects him. But he is older now.”
PORTUGAL VS DR CONGO, FIFA WORLD CUP: HIGHLIGHTS
Under further pressure, the midfielder held his ground and continued to praise the 41-year-old.
“Certainly when you get older, it’s not the same. It’s not the same effort you can give. But you still have too much respect for him. One of the best to play.”
DR Congo midfielder Ngal Ayel Mukau: “A special plan to keep Cristiano Ronaldo? To be honest, not really. We know he’s not the same as before. He’s a bit older now. But he’s still one of the greatest… a lot of respect.” (@TNTSportsBR) pic.twitter.com/QicO3CiqiF— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 17, 2026
Mukau’s comments came after another frustrating night for Ronaldo as he struggled to establish himself in the competition as Portugal failed to overcome a spirited Congolese side.
The Portugal captain missed two good chances in the second half, both from close range, as Roberto Martinez’s side had to settle for a draw. One of those opportunities produced a visible reaction from Bruno Fernandes, who was positioned behind Ronaldo and appeared to be in a better position to finish.
Ronaldo also had just 25 touches during the match, the fewest of any Portuguese player to start more than 45 minutes.
The six-time World Cup participant is now without a goal in his last 10 matches at major international tournaments including the World Cup and European Championship.
While the stat is likely to fuel further debate about Ronaldo’s role in Portugal’s attack, the veteran forward’s lackluster team performance didn’t help either. Portugal struggled to create sustained pressure and rarely provided Ronaldo with quality service in the penalty area.
Yet questions remain as to whether the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star can still be the one to set Portugal apart on the biggest stage.
Ronaldo struck a defiant tone after the game, insisting Portugal’s World Cup campaign remained firmly on course despite a disappointing start.
“It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Keep your head up and focus on the next game,” Ronaldo wrote on social media.
Football World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | football news
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
June 18, 2026 12:39 PM IST